Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

REVELATION 11:17KJV
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Revelation 11:17 (KJV)

What does Revelation 11:17 mean?

Revelation 11:17 describes a moment of worship where voices in heaven thank God, calling Him "Lord God Almighty" who exists in the past, present, and future, because He has taken up His great power and begun to reign. The verse highlights God’s eternal nature and the beginning of His active rule.

In the setting of Revelation 11, the twenty-four elders in heaven are speaking, addressing God directly in response to the sounding of the seventh trumpet. This is a turning point in the vision, where God’s authority is being openly acknowledged, and His reign is celebrated as something that is now being fully realized.

The Greek behind Revelation 11:17

  • "Almighty" (παντοκράτωρ, pantokratōr): This word emphasizes God’s all-encompassing power, stressing that nothing is outside His control, which is central to the praise being offered.
  • "Which art, and wast, and art to come" (ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν καὶ ὁ ἐρχόμενος, ho ōn kai ho ēn kai ho erchomenos): This phrase highlights God’s eternal existence—He is present, He was in the past, and He is coming in the future. It underlines the idea that God’s reign is not limited by time.
  • "Taken...thy great power" (εἴληφας τὴν δύναμίν σου τὴν μεγάλην, eilēphas tēn dynamin sou tēn megalēn): The Greek here carries the sense of God actively seizing or assuming His power, marking a decisive moment where His rule is being asserted in a new way.
  • "Reigned" (ἐβασίλευσας, ebasileusas): This verb is often understood as beginning to reign or taking up kingship, showing a shift from potential authority to actual, visible rule.

Why Revelation 11:17 matters

  • Revelation 11:17 clarifies that God’s rule is both eternal and something that becomes especially visible at key moments in history, addressing the tension between God’s ongoing sovereignty and the future hope of His kingdom.
  • The verse connects the worship in heaven to the unfolding events on earth, showing that what happens in God’s presence has direct implications for the world.
  • By using titles and descriptions that emphasize God’s timelessness and power, the verse reassures readers that God remains in control, even as dramatic changes take place in the vision.

Where else these words appear

“art” Greek G3801 · used in 5 verses

  • Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
  • Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
  • Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

“Almighty” Greek G3841 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
  • Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
  • Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

“reigned” Greek G936 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
  • Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

“give” Greek G2168 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 15:36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
  • Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.